Choir / Closing Hymn... Peace, Peace w/ Silent Night (CW 60) The choir sings the anthem and the congregation joins in verse 1 of the hymn. The congregation is invited to follow with verse 1 in German, as well as verses 2 and 3. 1. Silent night! Holy night! 2. Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright, Shepherds quake at the sight. Round yon virgin mother and child. Glories stream from heaven afar; Holy Infant, so tender and mild, Heav nly hosts sing, Alleluia; Sleep in heavenly peace, Christ, the Savior, is born! Sleep in heavenly peace. Christ, the Savior, is born! 1G. Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht! 3. Silent night! Holy night! Alles schläft; einsam wacht Son of God, love s pure light Nur das traute, hochheilige Paar. Radiant beams from thy holy face Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar; With the dawn of redeeming grace, Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh! Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh! Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. * * * * * St. John Lutheran Church Wrightstown, Wisconsin Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 4:00 and 9:00 pm It s been our joy to have you here with us tonight to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As we all go our separate ways traveling toward our traditions around the tree may we each remember that the greatest gift came wrapped in swaddling clothes with a tag saying From: God the Father To: The World With Love! That gift was none other than God in the flesh, come to this earth for the sole purpose of removing the curse of our sins by his death on the cross. Let the Holy Spirit of Christmas capture your heart this year so that the joy you feel might remain with you beyond the holidays, throughout the year, for the rest of your life, and into eternity. Have a blessed Christmas celebration and please join us again tomorrow morning for our Christmas Day Festival service. Christmas Day Festival Worship 9:00 am New Year s Eve Worship w/ Holy Communion 6:30 pm [12]
Greeting Call to Worship Order of Worship Part I Preparation and Praise Behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. And the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He is our Savior, Jesus Christ. Let us worship him in spirit and in truth. Prayer of the Day Almighty God, you made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true light. Grant that as we have known on earth the wonder of that light, we may also behold him in all glory in the life to come; through your only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Hymn... I Am So Glad When Christmas Comes (CW 51) 1. I am so glad when Christmas comes, 4. I, too, shall sing my Savior s praise, The night of Jesus birth, My joy, my crown, my Lord; When Bethl em s star shone as the sun, For he has made me his own child And angels sang on earth. By water and the Word. 2. The little child of Bethlehem, 5. And so I love each Christmas Eve, He was a king indeed! And I love Jesus, too; For he came down from heav n above And that he loves me ev ry day To help a world in need. I know so well is true. Hymn... What Child Is This (CW 67) 1. What child is this who, laid to rest, on Mary s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the Son of Mary! 2. Why lies he in such mean estate where oxen now are feeding? Good Christians, fear; for sinners here the silent Word is pleading. Nails, spear shall pierce him through; the cross he ll bear for me, for you. Hail, hail the Word made flesh, the babe, the Son of Mary! 3. So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh; come, peasant, king, to own him. The King of kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone him. Raise, raise the song on high; the virgin sings her lullaby. Joy, joy, for Christ is born, the babe, the Son of Mary! Blessing May he who by his incarnation gathered things earthly and heavenly into one, fill us with such joy that comes from the knowledge of the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life. And the blessing of God Almighty the Father, the Son [], and the Holy Spirit be upon you and remain with you always. Amen. Lesson... Ephesians 1:3-14 (EHV) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. 4 He did this when he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ. He did this in accordance with the good purpose of his will, 6 and for the praise of his glorious grace, which he has graciously given us in the one he loves. 7 In him we also have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in keeping with the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished on us in all wisdom and insight. 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will in keeping with his good purpose, which he planned in Christ. 10 This was to be carried out when the time had fully come, in order to bring all things together in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In him we have also obtained an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in keeping with the purpose of his will. 12 He did this so that his glory would be praised as a result of us, who were the first to hope in Christ. 13 In him, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and in him, when you also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 14 He is the down payment of our inheritance until the redemption of God s own possession, so that his glory would be praised. [2] [11]
Hymn... Once in Royal David s City (CW 50) 1. Once in royal David s city 3. But our eyes at last shall see him Stood a lowly cattle shed, Through his own redeeming love, Where a mother laid her baby For that child, so dear and gentle, In a manger for his bed; Is our Lord in heav n above, Mary was that mother mild, As he leads his children on Jesus Christ her little child. To the place where he is gone. 2. He came down to earth from heaven 4. Not in that poor, lowly stable Who is God and Lord of all, With the oxen standing by And his shelter was a stable, Shall we see him, but in heaven, And his cradle was a stall; Set at God s right hand on high. With the poor and mean and lowly Then like stars his children crowned, Lived on earth our Savior holy. All in white, his praise will sound. Silent Meditation Part VI Reflection At this time, the ushers will come forward and light their candles from the center Christ candle in our Advent wreath. As they make their way down the center aisle, they ll light the candles of those at the end of each row. They should in turn light the candle of the person next to them, and so on down the row, until all the candles are lit. To keep the wax from dripping, lit candles should remain upright while the unlit candles are tilted over the flame. You may extinguish your candle after the closing hymn. Prayer of the Church The Lord s Prayer Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen. [10] Part II Prophecy Lesson... Isaiah 7:14; 9:2,3,6,7; 59:20 (EHV) 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you all a sign. Look! The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and call his name Immanuel. 9:2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in the land of the shadow of death, the light has dawned. 3 You have multiplied the nation. You have increased its joy. They rejoice before you like the joy at harvest, like the celebration when people divide the plunder. 6 For to us a child is born. To us a son is given. The authority to rule will rest on his shoulders. His name will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 There will be no limit to his authority and no end to his peace. He will rule on David s throne and over his kingdom to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the LORD of Armies will accomplish this. 59:20 Then a Redeemer will come for Zion, for those in Jacob who turn from rebellion the declaration of the LORD. Hymn... Behold, a Branch Is Growing (CW 47) 1. Behold, a Branch is growing 3. The shepherds heard the story Of loveliest form and grace, Proclaimed by angels bright, As prophets sang, foreknowing; How Christ, the Lord of glory, It springs from Jesse s race Was born on earth this night. And bears one little flow r To Bethlehem they sped In midst of coldest winter, And in the manger found him, At deepest midnight hour. As angel heralds said. 2. Isaiah had foretold it 4. This flow r, so small and tender, In words of promise sure, With fragrance fills the air; And Mary s arms enfold it, His brightness ends the darkness A virgin meek and pure. That kept the earth in fear. Through God s eternal will True God and yet true man, This child to her is given He came to save his people At midnight calm and still. From earth s dark night of sin. Lesson... Luke 1:26-35,38 (EHV) 26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women. 29 But she was greatly troubled by the statement and was wondering what kind of greeting this could be. 30 The angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, because you have found favor with God. 31 Listen, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his [3]
kingdom will never end. 34 Mary said to the angel, How will this be, since I am a virgin? 35 The angel answered her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 38 Then Mary said, See, I am the Lord s servant. May it happen to me as you have said. Then the angel left her. Hymn... The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came (CW 24) 1. The angel Gabriel from heaven came, His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame; All hail, said he to meek and lowly Mary, Most highly favored maiden. Gloria! 2. I come from heav n to tell the Lord s decree: A blessed virgin mother you shall be. Your Son shall be Immanuel, by seers foretold, Most highly favored maiden. Gloria! 3. Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head; To me be as it pleases God, she said. My soul shall praise and magnify his holy name. Most highly favored maiden, Gloria! Part III Fulfillment Lesson... Luke 2:1-5 (EHV) In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 And everyone went to register, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the town of Nazareth, into Judea, to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family line of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, his wife, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child. Hymn... Away in a Manger (CW 68) 1. Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. 2. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky, And stay by my side until morning is nigh. [4] Lesson... Philippians 4:4-9 (EHV) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if anything is excellent, and if anything is praiseworthy, think about these things. 9 The things that you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: Keep doing these things. And the God of peace will be with you. Hymn... Joy to the World (CW 62) 1. Joy to the world, the Lord is come! 3. No more let sins and sorrows grow Let earth receive her King; Nor thorns infest the ground; Let ev ry heart prepare him room He comes to make his blessings flow And heav n and nature sing, Far as the curse is found, And heav n and nature sing, Far as the curse is found, And heav n, and heav n and nature sing. Far as, far as the curse is found. 2. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! 4. He rules the world with Let all their songs employ, truth and grace While fields and floods, And makes the nations prove rocks, hills, and plains The glories of his righteousness Repeat the sounding joy, And wonders of his love, Repeat the sounding joy, And wonders of his love, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy. And wonders, wonders of his love. Lesson... Matthew 28:16-20 (EHV) 16 The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some hesitated because they were uncertain. 18 Jesus approached and spoke to them saying, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and gather disciples from all nations by baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and by teaching them to keep all the instructions I have given you. And surely I am with you always until the end of the age. [9]
Lesson... Titus 2:11-14 (EHV) 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. 12 It trains us to reject ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope, that is, the glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He gave himself for us, to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are his own chosen people, eager to do good works. Hymn... Peace Came to Earth (CWS 707) [8] 3. Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay Close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in your tender care, And take us to heaven to live with you there. Lesson... Luke 2:6,7 (EHV) 6 And so it was that while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Hymn... O Little Town of Bethlehem (CW 65) 1. O little town of Bethlehem, 3. How silently, how silently How still we see thee lie! The wondrous gift is giv n! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep So God imparts to human hearts The silent stars go by. The blessings of his heav n. Yet in thy dark streets shineth No ear may hear his coming, The everlasting light. But in this world of sin The hopes and fears of all the years Where meek souls will receive him still, Are met in thee tonight. The dear Christ enters in. 2. For Christ is born of Mary, 4. O holy Child of Bethlehem, And, gathered all above, Descend to us, we pray; While mortals sleep, the angels keep Cast out our sin and enter in; Their watch of wond ring love. Be born in us today. O morning stars, together We hear the Christmas angels Proclaim the holy birth, The great glad tidings tell; And praises sing to God the King Oh, come to us, abide with us, And peace to all the earth. Our Lord Immanuel! Part IV Announcement Lesson... Luke 2:8-14 (EHV) 8 There were in the same country shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified! 10 But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all people: 11 Today in the town of David, a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. 13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude from the heavenly army, praising God and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward mankind. [5]
Hymn... To Shepherds as They Watched by Night (CW 53) 1. To shepherds as they watched by night 4. What harm can sin and death then do? Appeared a host of angels bright; The true God now abides with you. Behold the tender babe, they said, Let hell and Satan storm and rave, In yonder lowly manger laid, Christ is your brother you are safe. 2. At Bethlehem, in David s town, 5. Not one he will or can forsake; As Micah did of old make known. His cov nant he will never break. It is the Christ, your Lord and King, Let ev ry scheme the tempter try, Who will to all salvation bring. You may his utmost pow rs defy. 3. Oh, then rejoice that through his Son 6. You shall and must at last prevail. God is with sinners now at one; God s own you are; you cannot fail. Made like yourselves of flesh and blood, To God forever sing your praise Your brother is th eternal God. With joy and patience all your days. Lesson... Luke 2:15-20 (EHV) 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Now let s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us. 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they told others the message they had been told about this child. 18 And all who heard it were amazed by what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Hymn... Where Shepherds Lately Knelt (CW 54) 1. Where shepherds lately knelt 3. How should I not have known And kept the angel s word, Isaiah would be there, I come in half-belief, His prophecies fulfilled? A pilgrim strangely stirred; With pounding heart I stare: But there is room and welcome there for me, A child,a Son, the Prince of Peace for me, But there is room and welcome there for me. A child,a Son, the Prince of Peace for me. 2. In that unlikely place 4. Can I, will I forget I find him as they said: How love was born, and burned Sweet newborn Babe, how frail! Its way into my heart And in a manger bed, Unasked, unforced, unearned, A still, small voice to cry one day for me, To die, to live, and not alone for me, A still, small voice to cry one day for me. To die, to live, and not alone for me. [6] Lesson... Matthew 2:1-12 (EHV) After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, when Herod was king, Wise Men from the east came to Jerusalem. They asked, 2 Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. 3 When King Herod heard this, he was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 He gathered together all the people s chief priests and experts in the law. He asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea, because this was written through the prophet: 6 You, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are certainly not least among the rulers of Judah: because out of you will come a ruler, who will shepherd my people, Israel. 7 Then Herod secretly summoned the Wise Men and found out from them exactly when the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report to me, so that I may also go and worship him. 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. Then the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them, until it stood still over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with overwhelming joy. 11 After they went into the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Since they had been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route. Hymn... As with Gladness Men of Old (CW 83) 1. As with gladness men of old 3. As they offered gifts most rare Did the guiding star behold, At your cradle, rude and bare, As with joy they hailed its light, So may we with holy joy, Leading onward, beaming bright, Pure and free from sin s alloy, So, most gracious Lord, may we All our costliest treasures bring, Evermore your foll wers be. Christ, to you, our heav nly King. 2. As with joyful steps they sped, Savior, to your lowly bed, There to bend the knee before You whom heav n and earth adore, So may we with willing feet Ever seek your mercy seat. Christmas Eve Thank-Offering Part V Response These offerings are used to support the ministries of our church, both locally and worldwide. Our guests should not feel compelled to give an offering, but may do so if they desire. [7]